NHER 49168 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of possible medieval or post medieval field boundaries and pits

November 2006. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of field boundaries and pits of unknown, but possibly post medieval date, are visible on aerial photographs (S1). These cropmarks are centred on TG 3175 1523. Cropmarks of linear ditches, most forming field boundaries on west to east and north to south alignments. Several complete, or nearly complete fields are present in the group. They are rectangular and trapezoidal in plan and range in size from 48m x at least 75m to 126m x 220m. Although the cropmark field boundaries have a similar alignment to the modern field pattern, they are cut by the current field boundaries. The modern field boundaries are shown on the 1841 Salhouse tithe map (S2) indicating that the cropmarks must be earlier than this date. It is likely that they relate to an earlier post medieval, or possible even medieval, field system. Cropmarks of nine sub-circular and irregular pits are present on the field boundaries. Although these show as negative cropmarks, indicating that they should overlie harder ground creating difficult growing conditions for the crop, it appears that they must represent pits. It is likely that the soil filling these features is different and not as conducive to crop growth. The size of these pits and their position on the field boundaries suggests that they relate to the former location of large trees. Other linear ditches of unknown date are present on roughly southwest to northeast and northwest to southeast alignments.
J. Albone (NMP) 30 November 2006.